A man has been arrested in Florida who is accused of stealing nearly $1 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced the arrest of Anwar Jouda for coordinating an over $862,000 public assistance fraud scheme on Thursday.
Anwar Jouda was arrested on October 29, 2026. He has been charged with grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and criminal use of personal identification Information.
The Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Public Assistance Fraud (BPAF), arrested Jouda after he allegedly engaged in an identity theft and fraud scheme to profit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“If you try to steal from the taxpayers, I can guarantee that the law will catch up with you and ensure that you face the consequences of your crimes," Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said in a statement. "Under my watch, public assistance fraud will not be tolerated in Florida, which is why my investigators are going after these fraudsters every day. My main goal as CFO is to protect the taxpayers of Florida and root out waste, fraud, and abuse.”
BPAF investigators uncovered that Jouda unlawfully used the identity information of a victim and their SNAP-authorized business without their knowledge or consent. Through submitting fraudulent merchant applications, forged documents, falsified banking information, and deceptive communications, Jouda facilitated the establishment and operation of fraudulent merchant accounts to divert SNAP deposits into his own bank accounts.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle said, “This alleged well organized, well planned and well executed theft of monies intended to assist low-income families with maintaining their abilities to put healthy food on their tables, literally took food from the mouths of needy families and children. Allegedly sending some of those stolen SNAP benefit monies out of the country adds another level of insult to those legitimately needing this assistance. I applaud the actions of Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and his detectives from the Bureau of Public Assistance Fraud for their work in uncovering this fraud and the fraud detectives of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office for their work in developing this fraud investigation into a fully prosecutable criminal case.”
In combination with his personal and business bank account, Anwar Jouda’s fraud scheme resulted in the diversion of $862,394.95 in SNAP funds for his own financial benefit.
“Fraud steals more than money—it robs people of their security and trust," Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a statement. "CFO Ingoglia is sending a strong message that Florida will not tolerate criminals who prey on our residents. Fraud has no place in Florida, and my deputies are working every day to prevent fraud and help Miami-Dade residents who have become victims of fraudsters. I thank CFO Ingoglia for his strong leadership, his unwavering commitment to protecting Floridians, and his strong partnership in fighting the fraud epidemic and putting these criminals behind bars. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with him in this fight.”
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia Announces Arrest for Nearly $1 Million Public Assistance Fraud Scheme Read more: https://t.co/yFvJZ8bX52 https://t.co/EEshujGxZD
— FL DFS (@FLDFS) October 29, 2026
Through CID’s investigation, it was also discovered that Jouda allegedly sent a portion of these fraudulently obtained SNAP funds via wire transfers overseas to Ramallah in the West Bank, the de facto capital of the Palestinian Authority. CID is working with our federal law enforcement partners to share this information.
More fraud crackdown!! This morning my investigators arrested Anwar Jouda on charges of grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and criminal use of personal identification information. Jouda thought he could swindle SNAP out of nearly $1M. He thought wrong. https://t.co/myTTcOSqru
— Blaise Ingoglia (@GovGoneWild) October 29, 2026
“SNAP is a critical resource for Floridians who need support getting back on their feet, and we have a responsibility to ensure those benefits reach the people who qualify for them," Bridget Royster, Assistant Secretary of Economic Self Sufficiency at the Florida Department of Children and Families, said in a statement. "Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, the Department remains committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and safeguarding the integrity of these important programs. Our team works every day to identify potential fraud, and we are grateful to CFO Ingoglia and our partners at the Department of Financial Services for their continued efforts to investigate suspected fraud and hold accountable those who deliberately misuse public assistance.”
DCF Assistant Secretary Bridget Royster joined Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia to announce the arrest of an individual for a nearly 1-million-dollar public assistance fraud scheme. “SNAP is a critical resource for Floridians who need support getting back on their feet, and we have a responsibility to ensure those benefits reach the people who qualify for them,” said Bridget Royster, Assistant Secretary of Economic Self Sufficiency at the Florida Department of Children and Families. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, the Department remains committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and safeguarding the integrity of these important programs. Our team works every day to identify potential fraud, and we are grateful to CFO Ingoglia and our partners at the Department of Financial Services for their continued efforts to investigate suspected fraud and hold accountable those who deliberately misuse public assistance.”
— Florida Department of Children and Families (@MyFLFamilies) October 29, 2026
